ACIR awarded the Nexus 2.0 contract

After running the Nexus program for over 18 months and overseeing its successful transition to an online program during the COVID pandemic, ACIR has been awarded the Nexus contract until April of 2023. Under Nexus 2.0, ACIR will continue the American Center based Nexus pre-incubation program, conduct industry workshops connecting U.S. companies and Indian startups, and conduct Incubator Manager training workshops in 5 cities across India.

“We are grateful to the Department of State for selecting ACIR from over 17 competing organizations to continue our work with the Nexus program. The results this program has achieved for our graduates, whether in terms of funding raised, social impact, jobs created or partnerships with U.S. and international companies, have been phenomenal. We look forward to continuing that impact for our startups and the Indian ecosystem as a whole over the next 2 years.” said Erik Azulay, President of ACIR.

The planned Nexus expansion projects bring together multiple stakeholders of the start-up ecosystem like entrepreneurs, innovators, mentors, government agencies, industry players, and funding organizations to promote U.S. best practices in entrepreneurship to Indian start-ups. Through its training and mentorship programs, ACIR supports innovators to become more
fundable to potential American and Indian investors. To date, Nexus has graduated over 150 start-ups, who have raised over $19 million in external funding and grants, and created over 3,000 jobs in India.

A Nexus graduate shared “Startup Nexus has been one of the best incubation programs I have attended so far. At the start, the intensive schedule seemed unnerving, but each and every session had a meaningful impact and purpose to it. The program quality, delivery, and discipline are simply superb. Thank you Nexus team! I take pride in being alumni of your program.”

While many players are being added to the Indian startup ecosystem, ACIR’s Nexus program continues to stand out and be recognised as one of India’s premier business incubators.